Looking at plans at the Sandon Close exhibition are, from left, Audrey Selby, David Selby, Coun Charmaine Morgan and Dick Kelham. Photo: 0184A

Residents of sheltered accommodation in Grantham are hoping plans will be brought in which will stop drivers from clogging up their streets.

People living in Sandon Close were given the opportunity to look at the plans on Tuesday at their community centre.

In a joint proposal by Lincolnshire County Council and South Kesteven District Council, the plans restrict parking times and create six residents-only parking areas. If the plans are approved, residents will be given free permits to use in the scheme, as council tenants.

The proposals also include laying down double yellow lines along one side of Sandon Close with parking restrictions on the other side. At the moment these restrictions would prevent drivers from parking on the road between 9am and 10am, and between 1pm and 2pm on weekdays. This is to stop drivers parking their cars all day in the close, but at the same time allow parents to drop off and pick up their children at St Mary’s Primary and Sandon schools at the entrance to Sandon Close in the mornings and afternoons.

Sandon Close resident David Selby said there has been a problem since he moved to the close 11 years ago. He said people preferred to park there for free and walk to the schools nearby or even into town.

He said: “We are always a bit frightened because any ambulance is going to have problems coming down the road and the buses have problems as well.”

Another resident, Dick Kelham, described the situation as “terrible” and said residents did not want to go out in their cars because they would not have anywhere to park when they got back. He said: “The weekends are the best time to go out but we are always wary.”

County and district councillor Charmaine Morgan said the root cause of the problem was students parking their cars all day in the close. She said the scheme was an exciting collaboration which would allow council tenants to park outside their homes with free permits.

Area highways manager Mark Heaton said the plan would now go out to full consultation. He said the turnout to see the plans was very good and there had been constructive comments.